What are your hours and what days of the week do you work?

I work at my office Tuesday - Friday and I have appointments throughout the day as well as evening hours.

How often would we meet and how many sessions will it take for me to reach my goals?

In the beginning, I recommend meeting once a week. Often, after working together with a client on goals, we can step down to meeting every other week. Having said this, clients may have different requirements or scheduling concerns. You and I can talk about this, and reach a decision about what would be in your best interest. Most people find that they get significant benefit from therapy after 8 to 12 sessions. However, some clients continue in therapy longer, utilizing it as a safe, productive place to continue learning more about themselves. It is not unusual for someone to see a therapist for several years, although many people choose to meet less frequently than once a week.

How can I know if therapy is going to work for me?

Much of this depends upon your readiness for change and the ability to form an alliance with your therapist. I offer free phone consultations to people who are interested in pursuing therapy with me. I hope that in talking to me on the phone, you can get a sense about whether or not you would feel comfortable talking with me in therapy and working with me on your goals.

How does therapy work?

The main way that therapeutic goals are achieved is through talking together with your therapist. Psychotherapy works through developing a therapeutic, working alliance with your therapist who is devoted to your well-being and growth. Some of the goals you might be working toward include but are not limited to the following: relief from your suffering, reduction of symptoms, and observable changes in your behaviors or lifestyle. You may also wish to gain insight into yourself through the process of therapy. Whatever your goals are, your therapist works with you to help you attain them. The only direct benefit to the therapist is the fee you pay.
If you are agreeable, other methods such as expressive therapies, (i.e., drawing, painting, or writing) and relaxation training may be implemented. However, you have the right to be informed and to understand the rationale behind all proposed practices. As well, it is your right to be informed and to understand the chances of success and potential risks involved.
Therapists may refer you to other health care professionals in many instances. Adjunctive practices such as pharmacotherapy, physical exercise, journal keeping, hypnosis, meditation, acupuncture, nutraceuticals and massages are often suggested to augment your self-care. 
Therapy does not dissolve life stressors or take dangerous people and situations out of your life. It can, however, assist you in developing skills to recognize, evaluate, problem-solve, and become more self-protective. By taking responsibility for your part in the problems you face, you also find the power to change your actions in order to improve your situation. Therapy can also help you learn to cope with situations that are beyond your control.
Therapy can be hard work. In maximizing the benefit of therapy to you, it is helpful to make a commitment to the process, which usually requires more than the one-hour therapy session. In addition to talking with your therapist at the time of your appointment, self-help work or “homework” will usually be assigned for you to complete during the week. The self-help assignments may take the form of written work, or they might be behavioral tasks to implement. Ultimately, you will begin applying the new behaviors and new ways of thinking that you are working on in therapy to your life. You will be practicing and testing your new skills in your daily life.

Yes. The research shows that psychotherapy really is effective. For statistics about the benefits of therapy, visit the American Psychological Association help center at
http://www.apahelpcenter.org.
Go to the "search" box and type in "Does therapy work?" and you will pull up numerous citations for research about the efficacy of therapy and the mechanisms involved in producing change through the process.

Every aspect of the counseling process is held in the utmost confidence. Information related to counseling and/or your protected health information will only be disclosed at your request and after you have given me written consent. However, state law does not require your written consent when it is so mandated by the court or in instances when you pose as a significant threat to the safety of yourself or others. Please note the following exceptions to confidentiality requiring disclosure by a therapist in South Carolina: child abuse/neglect, imminent danger to others, elder abuse, court order by a judge, and imminent danger to self.

The fee for all sessions is $125 for the initial and $100 for subsequent sessions. Each session is a 50-minute session. I ask that payment be made after each session unless otherwise discussed. We accept personal check, cash, VISA and Mastercard. Most of my clients find it convenient to keep their credit card information on file at my office. I can assure you it is secure, and it will make the check-out process much easier for you.

Can I use my insurance?

I do not accept or file insurance. However, if you have out of network benefits with your insurance provider and you plan to file, I will gladly provide you the appropriate documentation to include with your claim forms. Any reimbursements your plan provides will then be paid directly to you.

Where in Mt. Pleasant are you located and how can I get directions?

See my map page at Map to Linda's Office.

Location: Mount Pleasant, Charleston County, SC

If you would like to complete the intake forms before your initial meeting click on links below.

The following pages are in PDF format and do require Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view and print.

Intake form, Page 1, Confidential Information

Intake form, Page 2, Reasons for seeking counseling services

Intake form, Page 3, Description of Services

 

If you would prefer to view and print in Microsoft Word format please click the following links

Intake form, Page 1, Confidential Information

Intake form, Page 2, Reasons for seeking counseling services

Intake form, Page 3, Description of Services

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About Linda Scott • Reccommended Reading • Related Links • How Therapy Works, FAQs •Map to Linda's Office •Local 12 Step Meetings • Intake Forms• Link to Sharon Martin, Jungian Analyst